Eight University of Richmond current students or recent alums awarded Fulbright grants, the most in the University's history

May 3, 2018

Eight University of Richmond students or recent graduates have been awarded Fulbright grants, the most in the institution’s history. Previously, the top number of Fulbright award recipients was six in 2009.

“Fulbright recipients engage in international study that will advance their knowledge and contribute to the insights and skills that they will need to understand, contribute to and lead in a rapidly changing world,” said University of Richmond President Ronald A. Crutcher. “These opportunities fuel the intellectual and personal development of these students.”

"The Fulbright is a wonderful fit for Richmond students,” said Dana Kuchem, director of the Office of Scholars and Fellowships. “We know our students are deeply interested in cultural exchange and are heavily engaged in their campus and communities. The Fulbright allows them to combine these interests after graduation, acting as ambassadors for the U.S. abroad.”

University of Richmond’s Fulbright recipients are listed below with their name, graduation year, host site/country and grant type:

Soleil Shah, 2017, United Kingdom, London School of Economics Award – Political Science

Jackie Sirc, 2017, Switzerland, University of Geneva's Institute for Citizenship Studies, Research - Political Science

Jessica Weaver, 2017, Germany, English Teaching Assistantship

Nearly 10,000 students from about 700 institutions applied for one of more than 1,900 grants to study, conduct research and teach abroad for the 2018-19 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, as well as record of service and leadership potential in their respective fields.

To date, the University of Richmond has had 56 student Fulbright grant recipients.

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The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government, designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program places recent college graduates and young professionals as English teaching assistants in primary schools, secondary schools or universities overseas - improving foreign students’ English language abilities and knowledge of the United States, while increasing the U.S. student's own language skills and knowledge of the host country, according to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.